Gage-bar.



A. H. JOHNSON & L. W. WILLIAMS.

GAGE BAR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1911,

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ARTHUR HENRY JOHNSON, 0F EPSOM, ENGLAND, AND LLEWELLYN WYNN WILLIAMS, 0F GLASGOW: SCOTLAND.

GAGE-BAR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR HENRY JOHNSON and LLEWELLYN VVYNN IVILLIAMS, B. 80., both subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing, respectively, at Wanganui, Ashdown Road, Epsom, Surrey, England, and Railway Appliances Vorks, Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gage-Bars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in stretcher or gage bars for railway switches.

It has been found in present practice that when the stretcher or gage bar is rigidly secured to the switch blades said blades cannot be thrown over or moved from one position to the other. This difiiculty is overcome by slackening the bolts which bind the stretcher bar to the switch blades or otherwise causing play by a general loose fit so that said bar is loosely connected to the switch blades. The loose blade or that blade which is away from its stock! rail often acts as a check rail and receives a blow from the flange of each wheel on the one side of passing vehicles. It will be readily understood that the connection between the stretcher bar and the switch blades being loose or slack and the switch blade receiving a blow from every wheel damage is done to said connection which requires the attention of workmen every few weeks.

The object of this invention is to accomplish this greater permanence in gaging. According to the improvements of this invention this object is attained by making the stretcher bar flexible and rigidly securing same to the switch blades. The flexible bar which will accomplish our object is obtained by forming or providing said stretcher bar with a spring which will en able the switches to go well home and have a straight butt into the center of the stock rails. The spring stretcher bar being rigidly secured to the narrow neck part of the switches, that is to the center part between the top and-bottom bulbs, the switches will go well home and top tilting of them is prevented.

In order that others skilled in the art to which our invention relates may be able to properly understand same we have here- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 14, 1911.

Patented Feb. '20, 1912.

Serial No. 602,558.

unto appended one sheet of explanatory drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are respectively an elevation and a plan view of a stretcher or gage bar for railway switches as constructed according to the improvements of this invention and Figs. 8 to 8 illustrate slightly modified constructions which will be hereinafter referred to.

Referring to these drawings :-In carrying our invention into effect or practice, as illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 we make the stretcher bar a of spring steel of one blade as shown or of a number of laminated blades, the ends of which are formed with flanges b so as to give a rigid and secure binding to the switch blades.

As illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4 which are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2 we form the laminated blades a with a solid center part c to which the ends of the blades a are welded, the other ends of the blades a are welded to solid parts d which are formed with flanges b which are rigidly secured to the switch blades.

As illustrated by Fig. 5 which is a View similar to Fig. 4 we form on each side of a single blade spring straight stretcher bar a a blade spring bar 6 which is formed with a curved or bulged center part f, the ends of these three bars a and e are formed with a flange b which is rigidly secured to the switch blades.

Figs. 6 and 7 which are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the application of the spring blades a to that known type of stretcher bar which is projected under each switch blade g and the stock rails 0 for the purpose of preventing said stretcher bar from having a vertical movement. In this arrangement the flanges b for securing the stretcher bar a to the switches g are attached at a suitable distance from the ends of same.

As illustrated by Fig. 8 which is a view similar to Fig. 4 we form the stretcher bar of two separate spring bars h and 2' having their ends formed with flanges b and spaced a suitable distance apart. The two bars h and i are so formed that their center parts 7' and k abut against each other although their ends are apart that is, they form an X or double Y placed sidewise, the opposite ends of each bar facing each other diagonally. A slot Z in which a pin m Works is formed through the center part 1' and 7a of each of these bars h and 11 so as to allow of a rubbing movement one against the other.

In any case, as shown in the drawings, the stretcher bars are preferably of flat material so attached to the rails that they or rather their faces lie in vertical planes or they may be described as fiat bars set on edge.

What we do claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. As an article of manufacture, a stretcher or blade spring.

2. As an article of manufacture, a stretcher or gage bar formed of a laminated blade spring having a solid central portion and solid ends.

3. As an article of manufacture, a stretcher or gage bar formed of a laminated blade spring having a solid central portion and solid ends, said ends being formed with flanges for attachment to a switch blade.

l. The combination with a switch of a stretcher or gage bar formed of a laminated gage bar formed of a laminated blade spring having solid central and end portions, and flanges for said portions rigidly connected to the blades of the switch.

5. The combination of a switch with a stretcher or gage bar formed of a plurality of substantially flat blade springs set on edge and rigidly secured to the blades of the switch. 1

6. The combination of a switch with a stretcher or gage bar formed of a substantially flat blade spring set on edge and provided with end flanges rigidly secured to the blades of the switch. I

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ARTHUR HENRY JOHNSON.

LLEWELLYN WYNN WILLIAMS.

Witnesses as to the signature of Arthur Henry Johnson:

WVmLIA lh J. HEATH, ALAN R. VVYLns.

Witnesses as to the signature of Llewellyn Wynn /Villiams:

R. G. THOMSON, THOMAS BERNIE BRowNmE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

